The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-07-14
DECLINES THE INVITATION.

President Cleveland has written !
letter to the Mayor of st. Louis de-
clining the invitation to attend the
National Encampment OF the Grand
Army in September next. 1t is, IN
deed, unfortunate that any feeling
should have found expression in
such terms as would lead the Presi-
dent to believe he would be an uu-
welcome guest. So long as he is the
the President of the United States he
is entitled to the respect of citizens of
every party, which nothing ought to
ALLEVIATE short of an act which is i'm.
peachable under the constitution.
The following is his letter in full &:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHING
TON, July 4.-Hon. David r. Fran
els, mayor and chairman-Dear Sir
When l received the extremely cordial
and gratifying invitation from the
citizens of st. Louis, rendered by a
number of her representative men,
to visit that city during the nation
al encampment of the Grand Army of
the Republic, l had been contem-
plating for some time the acceptance
of the invitation from that organiZa-
tien to the same effect, and had con-
sidered the pleasure which it would
afford me if it should be possible to
meet, not only members of the
Grand Army, but the people of st.
Louis and other cities in the West
which occasion would give me an
opportunity to visit. Exactions of
my public duties, l feel to be SO un-
certain. however, that when I was
confronted by the delegation of
which you were the head, expected
to do more at that time than to
promise consideration of the double
invitation rendered me, and to ex-
press the pleasure 1T would give me
to accept the same thereafter, if pos
sible. But the cerdiality and sim
cerety of your presentation, rein
forced by the heartiness Of the peo-
pie who surround you, so Impressed
me that could not resist the feeling
which prompted me to assure you
on the spot that 1 would be With you
and the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie at the time designated, if 10th
ing happened in the meantime to
absolutely prevent my leaving
Washington. Immediately upon the
public announcement Of this con-
clusion, expressions emanating from
certain important members of the
Grand Army Of the Republic and in
creasing in volume the virulence, con-
strained me to review my acceptance
of these invitations. The express
sions referred to 60 to the extent Of
declaring that l would be an unwel-
come guest at the time and place of
the national encampment. This
statement is based, as well as l can
judge, upon certain official acts of
mine involving Important public
interests, done under the restraint
and obligations of my oath Of Office,
which do not appear to accord with
the wishes of some members of the
Grand Army of the Republic, I re-
fuse to believe that this organiZa-
ton, founded upon patriotic ideas,
composed very largely of men en-
titled to lasting honor and considera-
tiOn, and whose browning glory it
should be that they are American
citizens as we'll as veteran soldiers,
deem it part of its mission to COM
pass any object or purpose by at
tempting to intimidate the executive
or coerce those charged with making
and executing the laws; and yet, the
expressions to which have referred,
indicate such a prevalence of I'M
friendly feeling and such menace
to an occasion which should be har-
monious, peaceful and cordial, that
they cannot be ignored. beg you
to understand that l am not con.
scious of any act of mine which
should make me fear to meet the
Grand Army of the Republic or any
other assemblage of my fellow
citizens. The account of my official
stewardship is always ready for
presentation to my countrymen. l
should not be frank if 1 failed to
confess, while disclaiming all re-
sentiment, that have been hurt by
these unworthy and wanton attacks
upon me, growing out of this matter,
and the reckless manner in which
my actions and motives have been
misrepreSeEted, both publicly and
privately-for which, however, the
Grand Army of the Republic, as a
body, is not responsible. Threats of
personal violence and harm in case
l undertake the trip in question
which scores of misguided, un-
balanced men, under stimulation of
excited feeling, have made-are not
even considered. Rather than aban-
don my visit to the West and disap-
point your citizens, might, if 1
alone were concerned, submit to in
suit to which, 1T is quite openly as
jected if present at the encampment,
but 1 should bear with me there
the peoples highest office, the
dignity of which must protect, and
[ believe that neither the Grand
Army of the Republic, as an organ
ization, nor anything like majority
of its members, would ever encour.
age any scandalous attack upon it.
If, however, among the member.
ship of this body there are some, as
certainly seems to be the case, de-
termined to denounce mo and my
official acts at the national encamp.
ment, I believe they should be per-
mitted to do so unrestrained by my
presence as the guest of their or
CARNATIONS, or as the guest Of the
hospitable city in which their meet
ing is held. A number of the Grand
Army posts have signified their in
tention, am informed, to remain
away from the encampment in case
l visit the city at that time. With
out considering the merit of such an
excuse. feel that ought not to be
the cause of such non-attendance.
The time and place of the encamp.
ment were fixed long before my in
vitations were received. Those de-
string to participate in its proceed
ings should be first regarded, and no
being should be permitted to inter-
fere with their attentions. Another
consideration, of more Importance
than all others, remains to be
noticed. The fact was referred to by
you when you verbally presented the
invitation of the citizens of st. Louis,
that the coming eneampment of the
st. Louis, that the coming encamp-
ment Of the Grand Army Of the Re-
public would Ee first held in a
Southern state. 1 suppose the fact |
was mentioned as pleasing indica- |
ton of the fraternal feeling SO fast |
gaining ground through the entire |
laKa -.1 III 49,